Cabo looks different when you ditch the highway crowds. This private Jeep day threads together Cerritos, Todos Santos, and off-road views in southern Baja without the cattle-car feeling. You get hotel/port pickup, an English-speaking guide, and a small group that lets you go at your pace.

What I like most is the mix: you’re in the right places for photos (Transpeninsular Highway viewpoints, plus quick stops like Punta Lobos) and you still get enough time to actually enjoy the towns and beaches. I also really value the food setup here: Mexican lunch is included with a vegetarian option, and snacks/water keep you comfortable during the drive.

One thing to consider: this is weather-dependent, and the lunch timing can be slow on busy days at the seaside restaurant. If you’re on a tight schedule, build in some buffer.

Key things to know before you go

• Private group up to 3 with an A/C 4×4 (or Ford Broncos depending on availability)
• Cerritos beach time focused on big-wave scenery and a calmer vibe away from Cabo
• Todos Santos free time for galleries and craft shopping, plus the option to see Hotel California
• Back-road off-road driving with big Sierra Laguna Mountain views
• Lunch is included, but skipping it means no discount
• Good weather matters; plans may be changed for safety

Why this Private Todos Santos Jeep feels different from typical Cabo tours

This tour works because it’s built around space. You’re not sharing a vehicle with a dozen people, and with only up to 3 passengers in the Jeep, it’s easier to hear your guide and stop when the view is worth it.

You’ll also appreciate the rhythm. The day starts with a scenic highway run where you can pull in for views, then shifts to Cerritos beach time, then lands in Todos Santos for a real town break. After that, you get the part most people come for: driving the back roads of southern Baja in a 4×4, with mountain scenery that feels worlds away from the main Cabo strip.

Finally, I like that guides matter here. In the reviews, both Carlos and Sol stood out for being friendly, informative, and good at keeping things safe while driving through desert and mountains.

Getting there: Plaza Gali meetup, cruise pickup, and hotel transport

The standard meeting point is Plaza Gali in Cabo San Lucas (Blvd. Paseo de la Marina area), in the parking lot by Oxxo. If you’re driving yourself, you meet your guide in front of that Oxxo store.

If you’re coming by cruise tender, there’s a clear path: walk from the tender pier through security, turn right along the harbor-side red sidewalk, and look for the API-marked terminal building area. From there, your guide is waiting at the Oxxo side of Plaza Gali.

There’s also complimentary transportation for hotels in the San José del Cabo corridor and the main Cabo tourist areas. If you choose it, the pickup is about an hour before start time, and you confirm your exact pickup time one day before. Hotels outside that zone (like certain farther luxury properties) aren’t included from their hotel door—you’d use the Plaza Gali standard meeting point instead.

Transpeninsular Highway photo stops and Cerritos beach time

After pickup, you’ll head toward Cerritos using the Transpeninsular Highway (La Carretera Transpeninsular) route. This is where the day opens up visually: Pacific Ocean views in one direction and mountain scenery in the other, perfect for quick photo stops.

Then you shift to Cerritos Beach with an hour at the Cerritos Beach Inn area. Cerritos is known for big waves and is a go-to spot for surfers. Even if you’re not surfing, the wind, sun, and open beach make it feel like you’re watching Baja do Baja things—relaxed but alive.

A practical note: bring sunscreen and sunglasses. This is a sun-and-wind day, and the beach time is long enough that you’ll want to be comfortable.

Todos Santos: galleries, craft shopping, and Hotel California spotting

Next comes the town break: Todos Santos, often described as a Magic Town, with about 2 hours for exploring on your own. This is your chance to wander galleries and handcraft stores at your own pace without having to herd through a schedule.

You’ll also have time for a relaxing meal in town. And yes, the famous Hotel California is on many people’s mental checklist, so you can decide if you want to swing by during your free time.

I like towns like this in private tours because you’re not forced to rush. You can slow down, browse, and then meet your guide when you’re ready—no “one size fits all” line-walking.

Sierra Laguna back roads: the 4×4 drive that makes the day feel like Baja

The tour doesn’t end with beaches and shopping. After Todos Santos, you go back into the car and point toward the Sierra Laguna Mountains, exploring back roads by 4×4.

This is the off-road portion where the vehicle choice matters. You’ll be in a Jeep with air conditioning, limited to a very small group, so it stays comfortable even when the drive gets bumpy. In the reviews, Carlos is specifically credited for driving well through desert and mountains—and that kind of confidence matters when you’re leaving paved roads behind.

You’ll also get spectacular views during the drive, and you won’t feel trapped inside a straight-line itinerary. This is where a private format pays off: you can enjoy the scenery instead of watching the clock.

Lunch at Cerritos Surf Town Restaurant: what’s included and what to watch

Lunch happens back in Cerritos, at Cerritos Surf Town Restaurant, with about 1 hour. The lunch is included and is built around Mexican comfort food—fish tacos and shrimp are listed on the menu options, along with chips, sauces, and guacamole. There’s also a vegetarian option that includes items like salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

The reviews bring up an important reality check: lunch can sometimes run slow if the restaurant is busy or if there’s an event underway. One reviewer experienced a long wait and called out a desire for more food options. The operator’s response clarified that lunch is served in a structured way and delays can happen with larger events.

My advice: if you have another obligation later that day, don’t schedule it back-to-back right after the tour. Give yourself time to breathe.

Also note: lunch is included, but it’s described as optional. If you skip it, there’s no discount, so it’s best to plan on enjoying it.

Punta Lobos: a quick scenic stop with big photo energy

To close things out, you’ll stop at Punta Lobos for about 15 minutes. It’s a short window, but these brief viewpoint stops are often the reason people remember a day like this—the kind of sea-and-rock scenery where you get one good photo and then just stand there for a minute.

Think of it as the punctuation mark at the end of an already full itinerary.

Price and value: $650 per group for up to 3 people

At $650 per group (up to 3 passengers), this isn’t a budget tour—but it does stack up as good value if you’re traveling as a small group.

Here’s what you’re paying for in practical terms:

• A private guide
• A 4×4 with A/C designed for just your group (not shared with strangers)
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (plus optional complimentary transport within the main tourist areas)
• Lunch included, plus snacks, bottled water, and granola bars
• A route that blends scenic highways, beach time, town time, and off-road driving

If you compare it to squeezing into larger-group tours, the math often flips in favor of private when you’re splitting the cost with up to two other people. And because the vehicle is comfortable and the group is small, the experience feels more like your day in Baja than a rushed checklist.

What to pack, driving rules, and who this tour suits best

Pack for both beach and dirt roads. Bring a towel, tennis shoes or sandals, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You’ll also want something dry quickly for the beach stops, and it helps to have a simple way to keep valuables safe during the drive.

If you plan to drive the Jeep, there are age rules: minimum age to drive is 18, and you’ll need a valid driver’s license. The general minimum age for participants is 6.

This tour fits best if you want:

• A private format (small group, personalized pace)
• Cerritos and Todos Santos as a mix of beach + culture + viewpoints
• A genuine off-road drive in southern Baja
• Comfort during transport (because the Jeep has A/C)

One more small tip from the experience vibe: if you’re sensitive to motion, a private vehicle with fewer stops and controlled driving may help you feel better—one reviewer specifically mentioned no car sickness on this style of trip.

Should you book the Private Todos Santos Jeep?

I think you should book if you want a small-group, off-road day that feels like Baja—not just Cabo. The combination of Cerritos beach time, Todos Santos town browsing, and 4×4 back roads is exactly the kind of itinerary that’s hard to recreate on your own without planning.

You might skip it (or at least plan carefully) if you have a strict timetable for later that day, because lunch timing can slip when the restaurant is busy, and the whole experience depends on good weather. Also, if you’re expecting a long, fully guided tour of every minute, remember that part of Todos Santos is free time, by design.

If your goal is scenic driving, genuine beach time, and town wandering with a great guide like Carlos or Sol, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How many people are in the Jeep?

The tour is private and priced for up to 3 passengers per Jeep, with a Jeep that has air conditioning for those 3 people only.

How long does the tour take?

It runs about 6 to 7 hours, including roundtrip transportation (about 6.5 hours).

What’s included in the price?

You get a private guide, the 4×4 Jeep with air conditioning, hotel/port pickup and drop-off, lunch (Mexican food with a vegetarian option), and snacks including bottled water and granola bars. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Where does pickup happen?

The standard meeting point is Plaza Gali in Cabo San Lucas, at the parking lot by the Oxxo store. Cruise passengers meet the guide at the same Plaza Gali/Oxxo location after going through pier security and heading to the parking lot area.

Is there a complimentary hotel transport option?

Yes, complimentary round trip transportation covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. You confirm your pickup time one day before. Hotels outside that area use the standard Plaza Gali meeting point.

Is English the language of the guide?

Yes, the tour offers English.

Is lunch required?

Lunch is included, but it’s described as optional. If you choose not to go for lunch, there is no discount on the activity price.

Do I need a driver’s license to drive?

If you want to drive the Jeep, you must be at least 18 and present a valid driver’s license.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, tennis shoes or sandals, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s modified or canceled due to rain or road cuts, you’ll be informed and can choose options. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.